RECRUITING, RETAINING, AND GRADUATING
Black Male College Students
Colleges and universities in the United States are
struggling to enroll and retain African-American
male students. However, Georgia’s public colleges and universities have dramatically increased
their enrollment, retention and graduation rates
thanks to the University System of Georgia’s African-American Male Initiative (AAMI®) — an
innovative project launched in 2002 by the Board
of Regents of the University System of Georgia
(USG) — and the results are quite impressive.
When the University System of Georgia launched
AAMI as a quantitative and qualitative research study in fall 2002, there were just three programs at USG institutions focused specifically on the educational achievement and attainment of African-American males. Ten
years later, there are 36 programs on 26 of the USG’s 35 campuses, engaging young Black men in college life
and focusing their sights on earning a college degree. For more information: www.usg.edu/aami.
GSC’s AAMI Initiative
Gordon State College is one of the newest campus to initiate
such program, thanks to the financial support of the USG
AAMI initiative and GSC Administrative support to match
the funds.
The GSC initiative focuses on intrusive academic advising
and support, and peer mentors to create a progressive plan
leading to the student’s graduation. AAMI also provides
engaging opportunities for students to achieve their academic
goals. The program also includes guest speakers and the opportunity for participants to attend a Leadership Conferences.
Addressing the needs of African– American Males;
investing and planting the seeds for success.
GSC’s African-American Male Initiative (AAMI) provides
engaging opportunities for students to achieve their academic goals. AAMI at our institution offers seminars, personal/
professional development workshops, social events, and
club activities for African-American males.
Student Deshon Cooper (left), shared with other participates
how blessed he is to be enrolled at Gordon and to be a part
of AAMI program. Deshon, Per– Engineering Major is 21
years old and has a background where the “streets” reared
him without a father. He is a very hard working young man
who is determined to be successful.
EMPOWER•MOTIVATE•ACHIEVE
A selective group of AAMI participants were
given the opportunity to attend the Men of
Color Empowered Conference at Georgia
Southern University, in Statesboro , GA.
Participants had a opportunity to meet,
Hotep, who is the president and founder
of Hustle University. He encouraged our
students to be successful … His website
can be found at http://hustleu.org/
CONTACT INFORMATION
Fredrick Bailey, Coordinator– fredrickb@gordonstate.edu, 678-359-5236
Michele Perry-Stewart, Director- mperry-stewart@gordonstate.edu, 678-359-5096
WWW.GORDONSTATE.EDU